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Ashton targets pre-season returnTuesday, 17th February 2009by Thomas Rooney''It was confirmed yesterday that West Ham’s forgotten man Dean Ashton will not play again this season. The striker is being cautious before returning from ankle surgery to ensure that he is 100% fit when he does make his comeback. ..''

West Ham Utd v MiddlesbroughSaturday, 14th February 2009by Preview Percy''Cup time again and we prepare for a visit from Boro’ for a 5th round tie that has managed to escape the clutches of the professional TV broadcasters – and ITV – to ensure a rare 3pm Saturday start at the Boleyn. What will they think of next?..''

Zola proud of performance - and rightly soMonday, 9th February 2009by Thomas Rooney''It is fair to say that the Boleyn Ground crowd were satisfied with the performance their team put in against Manchester United yesterday. A huge round of applause was in produced from the fans and it said a lot about how they thought the team had done...''

West Ham Utd v Manchester UtdFriday, 6th February 2009by Preview Percy''Next up we have the mob from Salford. It’s a Sky game which means two things. Firstly it’s a 4pm Sunday start, and secondly the cameras will face the right way and they’ll leave the adverts until half and full-time. ..''

Success and conservatism: the manager’s dilemmaTuesday, 3rd February 2009by John Simkin''In his book "The Mackericks: English Football When Flair Wore Flares" (1994), Rob Steen suggested that winning the World Cup in 1966 was the worst thing that could have happened to English football because "it established deep in the English footballing consciousness the notion that the functionality of Alf Ramsay’s side was the only way to achieve success". Steen was making the important point that the problem with success is that it breeds conservatism. ..''

The transfer window post mortemTuesday, 3rd February 2009by Paul Turner''If there is anything to be learnt from the summer transfer window is that we should all give West Ham 24 hours after the window closes to announce any done deals. That time it was the deals for David Di Michele and Illunga that were announced late, the excuse being put down to waiting for clearance from the pro per authorities. ..''

Financially soundMonday, 2nd February 2009by Matthew Kemp''So another transfer deadline ends, and West Ham United's signings during the transfer window are an amazing two players (one joining on loan)...''

West Ham turnaround is all down to Zola, says BehramiMonday, 2nd February 2009by Thomas Rooney''It doesn’t seem that long ago that we were all worrying about everything related to West Ham. The team weren’t performing, relegation was a distinct possibility, the finances looked uncertain and all of the best players were going to be sold...''

A settled midfield?Monday, 26th January 2009by Lee Byron''After months of brave tinkering it looks like our man Zola has finally settled on his four main midfielders, with cameo appearances for everyone else. Good for you ‘Franco. So why do these four players work together so well? Let’s take a look at them individually, and then as a whole...''

Parker confident over Upton Park stayMonday, 26th January 2009by Thomas Rooney''Amid plenty of speculation about his future, Scott Parker has insisted that he will remain a West Ham player for many years to come. The 28-year-old has been the subject of interest for Manchester City during the current transfer window and the Hammers have snubbed a bid for his services...''

Confidence is keyFriday, 23rd January 2009by Ben McGowan''I was convinced throughout the 2006/07 ‘Great Escape’ that we wouldn’t go down, that we would beat the drop. We didn’t go down then and I have faith that not all is doom and gloom at West Ham, and that we will not suffer that fate this season either...''

Hartlepool v West Ham UtdThursday, 22nd January 2009by Preview Percy''Cup time again and we visit the North East for the second time in three weeks for the fourth round tie against Hartlepool United. ..''

Zola backs striker for England call-upMonday, 19th January 2009by Thomas Rooney''Overall, things are looking a lot better for West Ham than they were a few weeks ago. The 3-1 victory over Fulham on Sunday moved the Hammers up to eighth place in the Premier League and a relatively comfortable eight points above the drop zone...''

West Ham Utd v FulhamSunday, 18th January 2009by Preview Percy''Next up a derby match against a Fulham side who, quietly, and with little fuss somehow find themselves sitting one place above us in 9th place. ..''

Bellamy’s future could decide West Ham’s fateWednesday, 14th January 2009by Thomas Rooney''There is often a moment during a season that will help shape the rest of it. Whether that be a last minute equaliser, a player returning from injury or a crucial refereeing decision. This time around, it is my opinion that whether Craig Bellamy is still a West Ham player come February will be crucial...''

Cynical? Moi?Friday, 9th January 2009by Bill, Sydney, Oz''There is a marvellous scene in The Godfather where Don Corleone’s chief fixer explains he has to get back to the Don immediately because, when there is bad news, the Don wants to be informed immediately...''

Newcastle Utd v West Ham UtdFriday, 9th January 2009by Preview Percy''Next up is a visit to Newcastle for our annual trip to a club that is possibly the only one that comes near us in the “football club as soap opera” stakes. ..''

Former player fears for West Ham’s futureMonday, 5th January 2009by Thomas Rooney''January is going to be an interesting month for West Ham and not for the best reasons. Many players are being linked with moves away from the club and with the current financial situation; it is difficult to see Gianfranco Zola being able to hold onto all of his most valuable assets...''

Fortunes always hiding?Tuesday, 30th December 2008by John Philpott''Reference has been made on various threads on the KUMB.com forums recently to the expected appearance during December of the latest West Ham accounts. This is when the accounts have normally been published in the past: to the credit of the club there is a section of the official site from which financial reports can be downloaded. ..''

Where do we go from here?Tuesday, 30th December 2008by Paul Turner''Supporting West Ham at times is like being on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise. When under attack everyone goes one way and the captain goes the other way as you get thrown. You feel under siege and that danger lurks around most corners. ..''

Zola determined to hold onto key players after late winMonday, 29th December 2008by Thomas Rooney''You get the feeling that Gianfranco Zola is starting to enjoy being manager of West Ham. Not only that, he is starting to grow in confidence. Both of these aspects are important if he is going to be a success, so the longer this continues the better!..''

What will January bring for West Ham?Monday, 22nd December 2008by Thomas Rooney''January is set to be a very interesting time for West Ham. The transfer window system means that it will be a frantic month of speculation about players arriving at Upton Park and players leaving Upton Park. Unfortunately though, it seems as though the latter will be more dominant...''

Parker the key as Zola enjoys ‘special day’Monday, 15th December 2008by Thomas Rooney''What a fantastic result for West Ham and Gianfranco Zola at Stamford Bridge yesterday. It may well have only been a point, but there were several occasions when I wasn’t even sure that this would happen. Therefore, it was a superb return for Zola on his return to the club where he played for so many years...''